About Us - Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund

Our Mission

This fund is created in memory of Captain Jason Dahl with respect toward all victims of the events of 9/11/2001. It supports future generations of pilots, young people yearning to fly, through the award of Aviation Scholarships annually.

Jason never accepted less than the best. We remain dedicated to ensure that the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Board and the growing community of Scholarship Winners reflect this expectation of excellence.

Who We Are

The Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund is a IRS qualified 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation. The Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund was established the day after the national tragedy, and grew to a respectable sum within the first few months, thanks to the outpouring of support from family, friends, and other generous Americans. That outpouring continues to this day, as fundraising activities and charitable organizations demonstrate with generous contributions.

What We Do

We here at the Dahl Fund provide scholarships for qualified students who wish to attend accredited commercial flight training schools in the United States.

Board Members

Anna Abbott

Treasurer

Anna received her accounting degree from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She has had her own practice, A. Abbott Accounting CPA, LLC since September 1998. She is a member of the AICPA, CSCPA and longtime member of the CPE Committee for the CSCPA. She has consulted Tom Bush with his company, Front Range Birding for the last six years. In that time she has learned through Tom how important the Captain Jason Dahl Fund is to student pilots and has volunteered to help manage the accounting.

Brooke Thurlow

Board Member

Colin Larson

Board Member

Rocco Sangellino

Webmaster

Daniel Hatlestad

Member

Joseph Schmidt

President

Joseph is a First Officer at JetBlue Airways, flying the Airbus A320/A321. He is a self proclaimed “AvGeek,” and a passionate musician, primarily playing the violin amongst other instruments. Joseph grew up in Long Island, NY where he currently lives. Joseph graduated from Jacksonville University in 2015, studying Music and Aviation. Outside of the cockpit, Joseph can likely be found exploring a new city and enjoying the best food it has to offer, or happily catching up with friends around the globe. Joseph was a 2014 recipient of the Captain Jason Dahl Foundation Scholarship.

Justin Dean

Board Member

Justin is a 2004 recipient of the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship. He graduated in 2007 from Metropolitan State College of Denver. Justin has previously flown for Atlantic Southeast Airlines and Frontier Airlines. He was hired by United Airlines in 2015 flying the 757/767. He then flew the 737 for 6 years and is currently an instructor on the 757/767. Justin lives in the metro area with his wife Krista, and two sons; James and Jase.

Kevin Larson

Secretary

Kevin was a friend and neighbor of Jason Dahl. Kevin was a Controller for Xerox Corporation, and has a MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago. Kevin has served as Secretary of the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund since its creation. He has avid interests in sailing, and is a key participant in many local community activities in the Denver area.

Luke Denooy

Vice President of Airline Engagement

I was honored to receive the Jason Dahl Scholarship in 2007 while
attending Metropolitan State College of Denver. I graduated from Metro
State in 2008 and began my airline career at Great Lakes Airlines and
later Frontier Airlines. In 2014, I was hired at United Airlines. While at United, I have flown as a First Officer on the A320 as well as First Officer and Instructor on the 737. I live in the Denver area with my wife Heather, and two sons; Walker and Rowan. Knowing how the scholarship impacted my life, I am excited to help aviation students pursue their dreams of flying.

Nathan Rau

VP, Chief Legal Counsel

Nathan Rau is an extremely frequent traveler in addition to being an attorney specializing in intellectual property law. Nathan currently works at Microsoft as a patent attorney supporting the Server and Tools Business. Prior to working at Microsoft, Nathan worked for private law firms in Dallas Texas and Minneapolis Minnesota. Previously, he worked as a contract engineer for the United States Navy in various research and development projects. Nathan has long been interested in aviation, and has flown both single and multi-engine aircraft as well as skydived. Nathan currently serves as the General Counsel for the Dahl Fund.

Pam Raitz-Rocho

Fundraising, Event Organization

Pam is a business and IT Solution Consulting Specialist. In the course of her career, she has worked with multiple community organizations and nonprofit organizations. Her Education includes a Bachelors of Science in Business and Masters degree in Communications & Information Technology (MSCIT) and on the Deans List from the University of Denver (DU).

Pam has been an avid Volunteer and organizer since childhood. Growing up in a large family there was always a need to lead, plan, and organize, which led her into volunteering as a passion. Pam has held a Vice President position in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Colorado Region Board of Directors. She served on the Bod for many years as board member over the past 20 years was also a National Registrar, and the Race Chairman for many regional, national and international events, including the Indy Car Denver Grand Prix. She also led and organized numerous policy, credentialing, funding campaigns, as well as fiduciary responsibilities associated with large, complex organizations.

Pam was also chosen to be an inaugural member of the Colorado motorsport contingent to bring all Colorado based amateur racing groups to together to partner, support and work together through joint decisions and common goals, encouraging race tracks and local organizations to succeed.

She is an active Weight Watchers coach as well as motorcycle enthusiast her hobbies include NASCAR racing, Denver Broncos football , friends, family and volunteering.

Sam Palamara

Vice President of Community Engagement

I am graduate Michigan State University with a BA/MA in education. I spent 42 years in public education as a teacher and principal. Jason Dahl lived a few blocks from my elementary school. Through relationships with Jason’s wife Sandy we initiated the Jason Dahl Heartland Hero Essay Program. This program highlights the exceptional character of Jason Dahl and the heroes of 9/11. Students write essays about their own personal heroes and how their heroes have inspired them to help others.

Steve Jacques

Board Member

Following graduation from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Administration, Steve was hired by a Denver CPA firm. He continues to maintain a small CPA practice utilizing the airplane in which he learned to fly, a 1960 Cessna 210. Steve was hired by United Airlines as a Flight Attendant in 1977. During a leave from United in 1980 and part time through 1985, he worked as a cargo pilot and flight instructor in San Jose, CA. He was hired as a Flight Officer by United in April of 1985. A devout Boeing fan, he flew as Captain on the B-727, B-737, B-747 B-757, B-767, B-777 aircraft during his career at United. He retired from United Airlines on the B-747 in June, 2016. Ironically, he met Jason Dahl at the Reid Hillview airport in San Jose, where Jason worked as a lineboy. In 1994, Steve took his first Captain check ride on the B-737 from Standards Captain Jason Dahl.

Tom Bush

Board Member

Tom is a retired United Airline’s Airbus A-320 Captain. His aviation career includes extensive experience, both military and civilian. His military tour spanned over 30 combined years of active USAF service and Air National Guard duty both as a T-38 Instructor Pilot and as an Evaluator Pilot in the Lockheed C-130. He is a retired full Colonel in the USAF. Tom’s civil aviation career began in 1978 with Trans World Airlines where he flew the Boeing 727, Lockheed L-1011, and Boeing 767. In 1992 Tom joined United Airlines and became a Pilot Instructor on the Douglas DC-10. At United he has spent time as Captain of the Boeing 737, Boeing 727, and currently the A-320. Tom was a co-worker, neighbor, and close friend of Jason Dahl.